Illinois Republican wants to make Chicago area the 51st state

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/illinois-republican-wants-chicago-area-51st-state-160924927.html

By Chris Moody | The Ticket – 7 hrs ago

A state Republican legislator has introduced a bill to the Illinois General Assembly to separate the Chicago's county from the state--effectively making the midwestern city the 51st state in the union.

The bill, filed by State Rep. Bill Mitchell of Decatur Tuesday, would "enact legislation dividing Illinois and Cook County into separate states" because county residents "hold different and firmly seated views" on "politics, society, and economics" from people in the rest of the state. The bill's supporters point to higher tax rates and strict gun laws in the Chicago area and contend that the northern county is out of step with its Illinois neighbors.

"These liberal policies are an insult to the traditional values of downstate families," Mitchell told the Decatur Tribune. "When I talk to constituents, one of the biggest things I hear is 'Chicago should be its own state . . . .Our voters' voices were drowned out by Chicago."

The measure would put the issue up to a vote by state residents through a referendum and then would require approval from the United States Congress and the president. As of this writing, the bill has just one other co-sponsor.

Edited November 23, 2011 by Why_Me

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Good for this congressman. I know peeps in Washington State outside of Seattle that want nothing to do with Seattle and it's sick and twisted view on how that state should be run. Same with some other states I'm sure ...NY comes to mind as does California.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It is interesting/a shame really when you think about it.

A lot of laws within a state are determined by bullshit that happens in the major cities. Small towns do nothing wrong, yet suffer the same consequences to keep feeding the ever growing city population.

[Neonred 3,636]

The feeling was the same in upstate NY about NYC back when I was a kid so many, many years ago.

A lot of talk but nothing ever changes.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Then we could have 50 out of 51 states that allow concealed carry.

[wayno 9]

I feel the same way where I'm at. Better yet why doesn't Baltimore and the D.C. suburbs just join Washington so the rest of MD actually has a voice in any elections. all decisions here are made by 4 counties.